The snow piled up during a late November blizzard in Erie, but The Residence at Presque Isle Bay team was determined to provide care to residents and peace of mind to their families. Administrators went above the call to pick up and take home team members. Some staff even stayed overnight to care for residents.
Despite Record Snowfall, Erie Senior Living Community Team Provides Unwavering Care
ERIE, Pa. – Lake effect snow is a hallmark of winters in Erie, but this season already brought double the snowfall of last year, a challenge to even the most prepared communities.
The Residence at Presque Isle Bay team has risen to the occasion. Armed with shovels and an unwavering commitment to care, they’ve met storm after storm with creativity, teamwork and determination – delivering peace of mind to residents and their families.
“The Presque Isle team put forth an extraordinary effort while contending with extreme weather,” said Larry Rouvelas, CEO of IntegraCare, which manages the senior living community. “While much of Erie was paralyzed by several major snowstorms, our team’s proactive planning and hard work ensured that our residents were safe and cared for.”
The season’s first major storm in late November set the tone for the team’s dedication.
A staggering 37.2 inches of snow fell at Erie International Airport in November, with all but one-tenth of an inch measured over two days (Nov. 29-30), yet the Presque Isle Bay team went above and beyond to maintain services and ensure safety.
“For seniors receiving care at home, it was a frightening time, as caregivers sometimes couldn’t reach them. That wasn’t the case here,” Rouvelas said. “Our residents and their families could sleep well, knowing they were safe and cared for.”
Executive Operations Officer Nathan Maietta and his Presque Isle Bay team took extraordinary measures during the storm, including driving through treacherous roads to transport staff in order to keep operations running seamlessly. The same type of effort continues each time the weather takes a nasty turn.
“Our safety and maintenance engineer Mike Warner and I personally picked up team members for every shift and took them home afterward,” Maietta said. “Some staff stayed overnight all weekend to ensure round-the-clock care. Despite the state of emergency and National Guard presence, our team showed up for our residents.”
The spirit of teamwork has persisted throughout the harsh winter. Erie has already recorded more than 65 inches of snow since Thanksgiving, far exceeding last year’s totals, with more snow in the forecast.
For families of residents, the efforts of The Residence at Presque Isle Bay team have provided immense relief.
“Families were amazed that we stayed fully staffed during these storms, with supervisors stepping in wherever needed,” Maietta said. “We’re ready for whatever winter throws at us, and our residents will always be our top priority.”
For more information, contact Linsley Wybiral, Community Relations Director, The Residence at Presque Isle Bay, at lwybiral@integracare.com or call 814.455.1630.